Strategies for Verbal or Auditory Learners

When learning mathematical or technical information, “talk your way” through the new information. State the problem in your own words. Write out the steps involved in solving the problem. Read the steps out loud as you work through the problem. Memorize the steps so you know them for the test.

Compare your notes with those of a study partner or another class member. This is especially important if the class requires a lot of copying from the board. If you don’t know anyone in the class, ask the instructor to help you find someone with whom you can compare notes. Copy anything you missed in your own notes.

Do careful proofreading of your written work. Use the spell check on a word processor. Then have someone review it for you.

Use graph paper with large squares when you do math problems. This will make it easier to line up your work, thus reducing visual errors. Proofread for errors. Then have someone check your work.

Increase the number of visual cues being sent to the brain. Use different color pens, post-its, and/or tabs to highlight important information in your notes and textbooks.

When you are reading something challenging, read out loud. When you are memorizing information for a test, recite it out loud.

Do your studying in a quiet area. Be aware of how easily distracted you are by sound.

Wear ear plugs when taking tests.

Learn to use the Kurzweil 3000, or some other software that reads text out loud as you read along.

Or use Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic to have your books put on tape.

Use the Kurzweil 3000 to write your papers, so it can read back to you what you wrote. This will help you recognize your errors.